The rest of the morning between Roxas and Jamie was spent conversing about their lives, previously and currently. Hobbies, likes, dislikes. Typical things one talked about with friends, yet neither had seemed to do in years. Roxas had Albel who was all he had needed since they were children.

Jamie had nothing but his grandparents.

“You know, I notice the looks a lot. You know, the ones filled with pity.” The frailer of the two pulled his knees closer to his chest, attempting to cling to his very own body for comfort. “But you know? I’m not afraid. To die that is. I can confidently say I have no regrets as of right now.”

As if understanding there was slightly more to the story, Roxas nodded his head with a gentle smile; urging him to continue.

“Oh well uh. I lost my father before I was born.” The ravenet fiddled with his thumbs as he spoke. As if he were trying to pretend his own words held no deeper meaning. “My mother...she took her own life a few years after I was born. So my grandparents raised me. I have no worries about them. My aunts watch over them in their spare time.” A chuckle broke through his quivering lips. “Yet they always nag on about how they don’t need it. They’ll be fine.”

It was hard to imagine a life without regrets.

A life without those who still needed you for assistance, emotionally or otherwise. With Jamie spending so much time in the hospital, it must have been as if he gave up trying to build a stronger connection between himself and his living relatives.

Roxas himself couldn’t imagine life without his family. Blood related or the makeshift one he was building with Albel and Orion.

Was...yet how long would that last?

In an attempt to continue on with this friendship building exercise, Roxas cleared his own throat before started off his own story. “I can’t say I haven’t seen those looks as well...yet they aren’t all bad. Some people just cannot imagine life as someone else."

"My own family I hardly ever see due to conflicting schedules. Work. School. It isn't as if we don't get along well. Just...I wish they were there more. My caretaker is my childhood friend of all things instead of them. Isn't that something." Roxas chuckled dryly.

Jamie perked up at the idea of a mild topic change. "Childhood friend? Tell me about them!" It was as if all his previous sadness dissipated.

Blinking, he raised a hand to his chin in thought. "Well, his name is Albel. He's the mother figure out of our group. Watches over us, babies me even at times. Sometimes it can get rather irritating and yet I also find it endearing." A smile washed over his face.

"You said 'us'....who is the other. Or others?" Jamie was entirely curious. Roxas couldn't blame him for wishing to know more.

Could he trust him with the knowledge about Orion?

It certainly couldn't hurt. He'd been dying to tell more people about his companion most couldn't see. Quite literally unfortunately.

"Hey Jamie. Silly question but. Do you believe in ghosts?" Roxas bit hit lip while asking, still finding himself somewhat nervous.

"Oh absolutely." Instant response.

His mood instantly lifted. He liked this guy even more. "Well...my other partner is a ghost. His name is Orion."

"Hold on one moment! You mean...you're dating your childhood friend. But also a ghost…"

The pause at the end brought the nerves right back. Was this where he asked for a room transfer?

"That is so cool! I've read about poly relationships in books online but I never thought I'd hear of one in real life. And you're gay? Or at least bi, I know that is a common misunderstanding in the community. 'They're dating a guy so they must be gay!'" Jamie used air quotes whilst mimicking what was probably supposed to be an imitation of a stereotypical female portrayed in bl manga.

The blond found himself placing a hand to the others shoulder in an effort to get the man to stop and breathe. "Calm down there. I am bi, so I really appreciate you saying that. You remind me a lot of Ori. I think the two if you would get along well if you ever met."

Jamie's eyes sparkled with excitement. This must have been the most he had had in awhile. "I'd love to! If I could. I want to meet them both."

Knock! Knock!

"Roxas, are you awake?" Speak of the devil and he appear.

“Yea I am.” The patient sighed, balling his hands into fists as the door opened way to show Albel. He knew very well how much trouble he was in. Explaining it would just be another thing entirely.

As if he hadn’t noticed Jamie, the brunet rushed over to Roxas’ bedside, pulling him up by the front of his nightgown. “You don’t understand how mad I want to be at you...but I…” The grip of his fists first tightened, then slowly released as he let his companion go and dropped to his knees to the floor.

“Rox, I could have lost you.”

Smiling softly, slightly happy witnessing such a breakdown from the more composed of the group. Roxas bent his knees, lowering himself down to a squat and pulled Albel into a gentle embrace. “But you haven’t...not yet that is anyway.”

“It’s the yet that worries me…” He sighed, lowering his head to rest on the others chest. “When I’m more composed, will you explain your earlier actions to me? I want to understand rather than be outright mad at you for no reason. That wouldn’t be fair to you.”

“Of course. Take as long as you need.”

Cough.

“Would you guys uh, like me to close the divider and give you some privacy? I feel like I’m disrupting a moment.” Jamie nervously questioned from behind the duo.

Albel’s head quickly darted up, confused at the new voice. “Roxas, who is that?”